This Type of Basil Is Way Better Than Others at Repelling Garden Pests, a New Study Reveals

Gardeners often tuck basil plants in between their veggies to deter pests and help plants like tomatoes grow better. But while sweet and Thai basil make great pest-repelling companion plants, there’s another often overlooked type of basil that’s even better for natural pest control. Here's how to grow this particular basil variety to kick pests out of your garden while reducing the need for pesticides, plus companion planting tips to help you get the most out of this impressive herb.

Companion Planting with Basil

When most people decide to grow basil, they envision harvesting basil leaves for dishes like pesto, pizza, and pho. But like other culinary herbs, basil of all sorts can also be used as companion plants for deterring common garden pests like aphids, flies, mosquitoes, spider mites, thrips, hornworms, and whiteflies.

Typically, sweet basil, such as Genovese basil or Thai basil, is selected for companion planting, largely because these varieties are the most common types of basil used in cooking. However, all varieties of basil repel pests with their strongly scented leaves, and new research has shown that a lesser-known type of basil may be the best choice for keeping pests out of gardens naturally.

Which Basil is Best for Repelling Pests?

In a study published in July 2025 by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers explored whether or not different types of basil were better at controlling pests than others, and the results were surprising. In the study, six common types of basil—sweet, Thai, holy, lemon, cinnamon, and bush basil—were grown near bean plants. Bush basil (Ocimum basilicum var. minimum), also known as spicy globe basil, dwarf basil, and Greek basil, was found to be much more effective at deterring spider mites than the other basil varieties.

According to researchers, bush basil worked against pests in two specific ways. First, it attracted beneficial insects, such as lacewings, that naturally fed on spider mites and other pests. But beyond that, bush basil also activated the pest defense systems in the bean plants and made these plants naturally better at resisting pest attacks on their own.

Tips for Growing Bush Basil to Deter Pests

At first glance, bush basil looks and feels a lot like standard sweet basil, but it has a few distinct differences. As its name suggests, bush basil is bushier than other types. It is also shorter and therefore easier to grow in small spaces and containers. The leaves, which are on the smaller side, have a more intense flavor, so you won't need as many of them in your cooking.

If you’ve ever companion planted with sweet basil, growing bush basil for pest control doesn’t vary much. Here are tips that will help you maximize the pest-repelling perks of bush basil.

• Follow proper spacing guidelines. According to the study on companion planting with bush basil, plants showed the most resistance to spider mites if they were grown within 3 feet of bush basil plants. If you’re growing multiple bush basil plants together, space your plants at least 8 to 12 inches apart to prevent overcrowding.
• Choose the right growing location. Bush basil grows well in in-ground gardens, raised beds, or pots that are at least 8 to 12 inches in size. These plants generally max out at around 6 inches in height, and you can plant them in any location where they get the required 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily: beneath taller veggies, squeezed into the front of flower beds, or planted in a line to create a living garden bed border.
• Provide bush basil with proper care. Like other basil types, bush basil plants should be watered regularly when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. These plants will also grow better if you provide them with a light, diluted application of a balanced liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season.
• Select the right companion plants. Though bush basil grows with many veggies, herbs, and flowers, the best companion plants for bush basil are tomatoes, asparagus, peppers, potatoes, and beans.
  
• Harvest often. Bush basil can be used in any dish that calls for standard basil. Harvesting your plants regularly or pinching back their leaves to a leaf node will make your plants more productive and bushier, and slow down flowering, which diminishes the flavor of the leaves.
• Extend your harvest. Most bush basil plants are grown as annuals and replaced every spring. However, to extend your growing season, move potted bush basil plants indoors in the fall. For a head start on the growing season, start new plants indoors from seed in early to mid-spring.
• Combine with other natural pest control measures. Although companion planting with bush basil can help to deter pests, it works best when combined with other organic gardening techniques. These include a thorough garden cleanup in fall, rotating crops on a 3- to 5-year cycle, choosing disease- and pest-resistant plant cultivars, and other protective measures such as floating row covers and organic soap sprays.